I have been to The Silo Hotel four times since it opened a month ago, and the best eating experience of the four visits thus far was the Afternoon Tea, which I enjoyed with Madge Kruger, a friend visiting from Pretoria, last week. It reflected the creativity of the talented Pastry Chef Devin Jones, formerly at Ellerman House.

One needs to book a table for Afternoon Tea two days in advance. We were seated in a lounge section of The Granary Café, with glass top coffee tables and beautiful brown leather couches. Two place settings  were prepared for us, with a side plate, and a minute cocktail napkin with an embroidered crest from The Royal Portfolio logo in one corner. This section of the restaurant is dominated by a geometric pillow window, with chandeliers running down the full length of the open plan restaurant/reception/Bar space. Cutlery is the same rose gold Buddha brand which I have experienced at two Dinners at The Granary Café. 

Restaurant Review: The Granary Café at The Silo Hotel far more than a Café, serves contemporary classics in luxury dining room!

Restaurant Manager Dylan van Blerk looked after us perfectly throughout the Afternoon Tea, checking on us regularly. I recognized Kudchi who had served us on The Silo Rooftop on our first visit, greeting us very warmly, as well as Ivon who had served us at The Granary Café just three days prior, but who did not appear to recognize me and therefore did not greet us.  

Dylan took our beverage orders, Madge ordering a Cederberg Mountain Tea (a theine-free Rooibos Tea, with a rich aftertaste and notes of sweetness), and I having my usual dry cappuccino. Madge’s Tea was served in an Nigiro tea infuser, on a tea warmer with a tea light, keeping the tea nice and hot. It looked so festive that I ordered a most unusual Tea called Choco Mint Truffle, which tasted liked an After Eight mint chocolate. It was described as having notes of vanilla, rich chocolate, and a hint of mint, ‘a dessert in itself. Sweet and intoxicating’.  Tea suppliers are the Singaporean TWG, and the local Nigiro.

Soon Chef Devin arrived with his pastry team, bringing a stand of the treats for the Afternoon Tea, filled with two or more items per treat, as well as scones and accompaniments which were placed on the table, there not being enough space on the stand. He came back to us during the Afternoon Tea, to check on us, and to establish our satisfaction. We struggled to eat everything which was presented: 

#   Salmon sandwiches on white bread and cucumber on brown bread

#   Chicken and mushroom pinwheels

#   White chocolate petit fours with sponge, ginger, raspberry, and pomegranate

#   Strawberry and cream profiteroles 

#   Beautiful macarons, in two styles: with dark chocolate crème, and with azalea chocolate ganache, in strong pink and turquoise 

#   Gluten-free chocolate mousse and salted caramel, topped with a gold leaf

#.  Gluten-free raspberry jelly and cocolnut verrine, with lemon diplomats and topped with hibiscus meringue. 

#.  Scones were served on the table, to be complimented in that they do not crumble when one cuts them open, accompanied by both whipped and clotted cream, butter, home-made strawberry and thyme jam, and grated Pecorino cheese. 

Whilst I had a quick feedback meeting with Dylan re our dinner a few days earlier, one of The Silo Hotel staff kindly took Madge to the 11th floor to show her the Rooftop. 

Opulent The Silo Hotel in the V&A Waterfront elevates Cape Town hospitality to a new high!

Madge and I felt thoroughly spoilt with the Afternoon Tea spread, enjoying the quality of the treats, and the excellent service we received. Dylan took time to show us the book of Thomas Heatherwick’s architectural highlights, including The Silo Hotel and neighbouring Zeitz MOCAA Museum (due to open in September). My only criticism is that the cocktail napkin is too tiny. 

Afternoon Tea at The Granary Café, The Silo Hotel, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town. Tel (021) 671-5502 (The Royal Portfolio central reservations) Tel (021) 670-0500 www.thesilohotel.com www.theroyalportfolio.com Twitter: @TheSiloHotel @Royal_Portfolio Instagram: @thesilohotel_ @theroyalportfolio R190. Book two days in advance. 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: click here Instagram: @Chris_Ulmenstein